The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE LEGEND GOES, THAT IF ONE WENT OUT AT MIDNIGHT
ONE WOULD SEE THE CATTLE PRAYING ON THEIR KNEES. HOWEVER, ONE HAD TO
GO AT EXACTLY THE RIGHT MINUTE TO SEE THIS PHENOMENON. INFORMANT
REMEMBERS GOING TO THE BARN EVERY YEAR ON CHRISTMAS EVE WITH HER
BROTHERS AND SISTER TO SEE THIS. THEY WERE ALWAYS DISAPPOINTED
BECAUSE THEY MISSED THE RIGHT MOMENT.

Submitter comment: AROUND 1900 IN A SETTLEMENT OF POLISH AND SLAVIC IMMIGRANTS
IN MANITOBA, CANADA.
UNCERTAIN OF ORIGIN. PROBABLY POLISH OR SLAVIC.

Data entry tech comment: TM B251.1.2.3 COWS KNEEL...

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 12-18-1963